Chapter 07 covers edible vegetables, roots and tubers, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved vegetables. This chapter does not include plant products used as seasonings (such as coffee, tea, spices of Chapter 9), nor does it include vegetable preparations of Chapter 20. Fresh or chilled peppers and sweet peppers belong to this chapter, as they are consumed directly as vegetables or seasoning vegetables or used in cooking. Heading 0709 covers other vegetables, fresh or chilled, including sweet peppers, peppers, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, etc. Vegetables under this heading have not undergone further processing, only simple treatments such as washing, trimming, and chilling. Under 0709, subheadings are further divided by specific varieties, such as 070960 for peppers and sweet peppers. First 2 digits 07: Chapter 7, edible vegetables, roots and tubers. Digits 3-4, 09: Heading 0709, other vegetables, fresh or chilled. Digits 5-6, 60: Subheading 070960, fruits of the genus Capsicum or of the genus Pimenta, fresh or chilled. The complete code 070960 is a 6-digit subheading, extended to 8-10 digits in some countries for statistical or tariff rate subdivisions. The goods are fresh peppers and sweet peppers, which are fresh or chilled vegetables and have not undergone other processing, therefore classified under 0709. Different from 0705 (lettuce, fresh or chilled), 0707 (cucumbers, fresh or chilled), and also different from pickled or vinegar-preserved peppers of Chapter 20.
Chapter
Chapter 07 covers edible vegetables, roots and tubers, including fresh, chilled, frozen, dried or provisionally preserved vegetables. This chapter does not include plant products used as seasonings (such as coffee, tea, spices of Chapter 9), nor does it include vegetable preparations of Chapter 20. Fresh or chilled peppers and sweet peppers belong to this chapter, as they are consumed directly as vegetables or seasoning vegetables or used in cooking.
Heading
Heading 0709 covers other vegetables, fresh or chilled, including sweet peppers, peppers, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, etc. Vegetables under this heading have not undergone further processing, only simple treatments such as washing, trimming, and chilling. Under 0709, subheadings are further divided by specific varieties, such as 070960 for peppers and sweet peppers.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 07: Chapter 7, edible vegetables, roots and tubers. Digits 3-4, 09: Heading 0709, other vegetables, fresh or chilled. Digits 5-6, 60: Subheading 070960, fruits of the genus Capsicum or of the genus Pimenta, fresh or chilled. The complete code 070960 is a 6-digit subheading, extended to 8-10 digits in some countries for statistical or tariff rate subdivisions.
Classification Basis
The goods are fresh peppers and sweet peppers, which are fresh or chilled vegetables and have not undergone other processing, therefore classified under 0709. Different from 0705 (lettuce, fresh or chilled), 0707 (cucumbers, fresh or chilled), and also different from pickled or vinegar-preserved peppers of Chapter 20.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "fresh peppers", "fresh sweet peppers", or "fresh peppers and sweet peppers". Variety: Indicate the specific variety of pepper or sweet pepper, such as "facing heaven pepper", "bell pepper", "colored pepper", etc. State: Indicate "fresh" or "chilled", such as "fresh" or "chilled". Stemmed or Not: State whether the fruit stem has been removed, such as "stemmed" or "destemmed". Packaging Specifications: Indicate the packaging method and specifications, such as "carton packaging, 10 kg per carton". Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in "none". Origin: Indicate the specific country or region, such as "Yunnan, China". Product Name: Fresh peppers; Variety: Facing heaven pepper; State: Fresh; Stemmed or Not: Stemmed; Packaging Specifications: Carton packaging, 5 kg per carton; Brand: None; Origin: Yunnan, China. Mistakenly declaring chilled peppers as frozen, leading to classification under 0710. Failure to indicate whether stemmed, which may affect plant quarantine requirements. Mistakenly reporting sweet peppers as peppers, which, although under the same code, affects statistics.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "fresh peppers", "fresh sweet peppers", or "fresh peppers and sweet peppers".
⚠️ Writing only "peppers" without indicating "fresh", or mistakenly writing "dried peppers".
Variety
Indicate the specific variety of pepper or sweet pepper, such as "facing heaven pepper", "bell pepper", "colored pepper", etc.
⚠️ Writing generically "peppers" without distinguishing sweet peppers from peppers.
State
Indicate "fresh" or "chilled", such as "fresh" or "chilled".
⚠️ Mistakenly writing "frozen", leading to classification errors.
Stemmed or Not
State whether the fruit stem has been removed, such as "stemmed" or "destemmed".
⚠️ Failure to declare, affecting classification or quarantine.
Packaging Specifications
Indicate the packaging method and specifications, such as "carton packaging, 10 kg per carton".
⚠️ Writing only "boxed" without specific weight.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if no brand, fill in "none".
⚠️ Omitting the brand, leading to intellectual property risks.
Origin
Indicate the specific country or region, such as "Yunnan, China".
⚠️ Writing only "China" without specifying the region.
Example： Product Name: Fresh peppers; Variety: Facing heaven pepper; State: Fresh; Stemmed or Not: Stemmed; Packaging Specifications: Carton packaging, 5 kg per carton; Brand: None; Origin: Yunnan, China.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly declaring chilled peppers as frozen, leading to classification under 0710.
Failure to indicate whether stemmed, which may affect plant quarantine requirements.
Mistakenly reporting sweet peppers as peppers, which, although under the same code, affects statistics.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: The goods must be fresh or chilled fruits of the genus Capsicum or the genus Pimenta, and not further processed. If frozen, dried, ground, vinegar-preserved, or otherwise processed, they are classified under other headings. Attention must also be paid to distinguishing from other vegetables under heading 0709, such as 070959 (other fresh or chilled edible roots and tubers), 070970 (spinach, fresh or chilled), etc. 071080 Frozen peppers and sweet peppers: Frozen, different state, classified under 0710. 090421 Dried peppers: Dried, classified under Chapter 9. 200599 Vinegar-preserved peppers: Preserved in vinegar or acetic acid, classified under Chapter 20. 070959 Other fresh or chilled edible roots and tubers: Different varieties, such as carrots, radishes, etc. 070970 Spinach, fresh or chilled: Different vegetable variety. Is it in fresh or chilled state? Does it belong to the genus Capsicum or the genus Pimenta? Has it been frozen, dried, or vinegar-preserved? Is it used as a vegetable or seasoning? Is it confused with other vegetables?
Basis
Core basis for classification: The goods must be fresh or chilled fruits of the genus Capsicum or the genus Pimenta, and not further processed. If frozen, dried, ground, vinegar-preserved, or otherwise processed, they are classified under other headings. Attention must also be paid to distinguishing from other vegetables under heading 0709, such as 070959 (other fresh or chilled edible roots and tubers), 070970 (spinach, fresh or chilled), etc.
Confused Codes：
071080 - Frozen peppers and sweet peppers
Frozen, different state, classified under 0710.
090421 - Dried peppers
Dried, classified under Chapter 9.
200599 - Vinegar-preserved peppers
Preserved in vinegar or acetic acid, classified under Chapter 20.
070959 - Other fresh or chilled edible roots and tubers
Different varieties, such as carrots, radishes, etc.
070970 - Spinach, fresh or chilled
Different vegetable variety.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it in fresh or chilled state?
✓ Does it belong to the genus Capsicum or the genus Pimenta?
✓ Has it been frozen, dried, or vinegar-preserved?
✓ Is it used as a vegetable or seasoning?
✓ Is it confused with other vegetables?
❓ FAQ
Why are fresh peppers and sweet peppers classified under the same HS code? Because both are fruits of the genus Capsicum or the genus Pimenta, and are in fresh or chilled state. In international trade, they are usually combined for statistical purposes, so HS code 070960 covers both. How to distinguish the HS codes for fresh peppers and dried peppers? Fresh peppers are classified under 070960, and dried peppers under 090421. The key difference is whether they have undergone drying treatment. After drying, the moisture content decreases, and they are classified under Chapter 9. Should chilled peppers be declared under 070960 or 071080? Chilled peppers are still in fresh or chilled state and are classified under 070960; frozen peppers are classified under 071080. The key difference between chilled and frozen is whether the temperature is below freezing point. When declaring fresh peppers, is it necessary to indicate the variety? It is recommended to indicate the specific variety, such as facing heaven pepper, bell pepper, etc., for accurate customs classification and statistics. Although under the same code, the variety may affect quarantine requirements. In the declaration elements for fresh peppers, is it mandatory to fill in the brand? If there is a brand, it must be filled in; if no brand, fill in "none". Brand information helps customs with intellectual property protection and avoids infringement risks. If fresh peppers have been washed and trimmed, are they still classified under 070960? Yes, simple washing, trimming, destemming, etc., do not affect classification and they remain under 070960. However, if they have undergone cutting, grinding, or other processing, they may be classified under other headings. How to inquire about the import tariff rate for fresh peppers? It can be queried through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 070960 and the country of origin to obtain the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. Tariff rates may change, so it is recommended to refer to the latest announcements. What additional documents are required for exporting fresh peppers to the EU? In addition to conventional customs declaration forms, invoices, and packing lists, a phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, etc., may be required. The specifics depend on EU import regulations and bilateral agreements.
Q: Why are fresh peppers and sweet peppers classified under the same HS code?
A: Because both are fruits of the genus Capsicum or the genus Pimenta, and are in fresh or chilled state. In international trade, they are usually combined for statistical purposes, so HS code 070960 covers both.
Q: How to distinguish the HS codes for fresh peppers and dried peppers?
A: Fresh peppers are classified under 070960, and dried peppers under 090421. The key difference is whether they have undergone drying treatment. After drying, the moisture content decreases, and they are classified under Chapter 9.
Q: Should chilled peppers be declared under 070960 or 071080?
A: Chilled peppers are still in fresh or chilled state and are classified under 070960; frozen peppers are classified under 071080. The key difference between chilled and frozen is whether the temperature is below freezing point.
Q: When declaring fresh peppers, is it necessary to indicate the variety?
A: It is recommended to indicate the specific variety, such as facing heaven pepper, bell pepper, etc., for accurate customs classification and statistics. Although under the same code, the variety may affect quarantine requirements.
Q: In the declaration elements for fresh peppers, is it mandatory to fill in the brand?
A: If there is a brand, it must be filled in; if no brand, fill in "none". Brand information helps customs with intellectual property protection and avoids infringement risks.
Q: If fresh peppers have been washed and trimmed, are they still classified under 070960?
A: Yes, simple washing, trimming, destemming, etc., do not affect classification and they remain under 070960. However, if they have undergone cutting, grinding, or other processing, they may be classified under other headings.
Q: How to inquire about the import tariff rate for fresh peppers?
A: It can be queried through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the International Trade Single Window. Enter HS code 070960 and the country of origin to obtain the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. Tariff rates may change, so it is recommended to refer to the latest announcements.
Q: What additional documents are required for exporting fresh peppers to the EU?
A: In addition to conventional customs declaration forms, invoices, and packing lists, a phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, etc., may be required. The specifics depend on EU import regulations and bilateral agreements.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.